Tom Hickathrift
by Unknown · from More English Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Tom was a very big boy. He was very, very strong! Tom loved to eat. He ate much food. Tom liked to sit by the warm fire. He felt happy and safe there. He was a kind, gentle boy.
Tom's Mother needed straw. A kind farmer gave them much straw. Tom went to get it. The farmer saw a big pile. He thought Tom could not carry it. But Tom picked up all the straw. He carried it well on his back. All were very surprised by Tom.
People saw Tom's great strength. They asked him for help. Tom helped many people. One man needed a very large tree moved. Other men tried to move it. They could not lift it up. Tom moved the big tree alone. He was very helpful to all his friends.
Tom played many fun games. He played strong man contests. He won all games. No one could ever beat Tom. Everyone knew Tom was strong. His name was famous far and wide. Tom was a good, fair player. He always smiled and helped.
Tom walked in the green forest one day. He met a strong Tinker man. The Tinker had a big, long stick. They played a fun strength game. They pushed each other with their sticks. They laughed and laughed very much. Tom and the Tinker became good friends. They liked to play with each other often.
Tom got a new job. He carried big barrels of drink for a man. It was a very long road to go. Tom saw a shorter path. A very big Giant lived there. But Tom was not afraid at all. He took the short path to go.
The big Giant saw Tom coming. He was very grumpy and loud. The Giant shouted loudly. "Go away from my land!" he said. "This is my special path, not for you!" Tom stood very tall and brave. He was not scared of the grumpy Giant.
Tom was very smart. He took a big stick from his cart. It was a strong piece of wood. He took a round wheel too. He pushed the Giant with them. The Giant did not like it. Tom made the Giant move away. He was very clever and strong.
Tom pushed the Giant very hard. The Giant got scared and ran. He ran far, far away from Tom. Tom was safe now. Tom went to the Giant's dark cave. He found shiny gold. He found many sparkling jewels. What a happy surprise for Tom to find!
Tom went home quickly. He told all his brave story. They were very, very happy. They cheered loudly for Tom. Everyone went to the Giant's cave. They saw the shiny gold. They were all so proud of brave Tom.
Tom built a big, nice house. He shared his gold with friends. He helped many people in town. Tom was a kind, strong hero. Everyone loved Tom very much. He lived a happy life. He helped many, many people every day.
Original Story
Tom Hickathrift
Before the days of William the Conqueror there dwelt a man in the marsh of the Isle of Ely whose name was Thomas Hickathrift, a poor day labourer, but so stout that he could do two days' work in one. His one son he called by his own name, Thomas Hickathrift, and he put him to good learning, but the lad was none of the wisest, and indeed seemed to be somewhat soft, so he got no good at all from his teaching.
Tom's father died, and his mother being tender of him, kept him as well as she could. The slothful fellow would do nothing but sit in the chimney-corner, and eat as much at a time as would serve four or five ordinary men. And so much did he grow that when but ten years old he was already eight feet high, and his hand like a shoulder of mutton.
One day his mother went to a rich farmer's house to beg a bottle of straw for herself and Tom. "Take what you will," said the farmer, an honest charitable man. So when she got home she told Tom to fetch the straw, but he wouldn't and, beg as she might, he wouldn't till she borrowed him a cart rope. So off he went, and when he came to the farmer's, master and men were all a-trashing in the barn.
"I'm come for the straw," said Tom.
"Take as much as thou canst carry," said the farmer.
So Tom laid down his rope and began to make his bottle.
"Your rope is too short," said the farmer by way of a joke; but the joke was on Tom's side, for when he had made up his load there was some twenty hundred-weight of straw, and though they called him a fool for thinking he could carry the tithe of it, he flung it over his shoulder as if it had been a hundred-weight, to the great admiration of master and men.
Tom's strength being thus made known there was no longer any basking by the fire for him; every one would be hiring him to work, and telling him 't was a shame to live such a lazy life. So Tom seeing them wait on him as they did, went to work first with one, then with another. And one day a woodman desired his help to bring home a tree. Off went Tom and four men besides, and when they came to the tree they began to draw it into the cart with pulleys. At last Tom, seeing them unable to lift it, "Stand away, you fools," said he, and taking the tree, set it on one end and laid it in the cart. "Now," said he, "see what a man can do." "Marry, 't is true," said they, and the woodman asked what reward he'd take. "Oh, a stick for my mother's fire," said Tom; and espying a tree bigger than was in the cart, he laid it on his shoulders and went home with it as fast as the cart and six horses could draw it.
Tom now saw that he had more strength than twenty men, and began to be very merry, taking delight in company, in going to fairs and meetings, in seeing sports and pastimes. And at cudgels, wrestling, or throwing the hammer, not a man could stand against him, so that at last none durst go into the ring to wrestle with him, and his fame was spread more and more in the country.
Far and near he would go to any meetings, as football play or the like. And one day in a part of the country where he was a stranger, and none knew him, he stopped to watch the company at football play; rare sport it was; but Tom spoiled it all, for meeting the ball he took it such a kick that away it flew none could tell whither. They were angry with Tom as you may fancy, but got nothing by that as Tom took hold of a big spar, and laid about with a will, so that though the whole country-side was up in arms against him, he cleared his way wherever he came.
It was late in the evening ere he could turn homeward, and on the road there met him four lusty rogues that had been robbing passengers all day. They thought they had a good prize in Tom, who was all alone, and made cocksure of his money.
"Stand and deliver!" said they.
"What should I deliver?" said Tom.
"Your money, sirrah," said they.
"You shall give me better words for it first," said Tom.
"Come, come, no more prating; money we want, and money we'll have before you stir."
"Is it so?" said Tom, "nay, then come and take it."
The long and the short of it was that Tom killed two of the rogues and grieviously wounded the other two, and took all their money, which was as much as two hundred pounds. And when he came home he made his old mother laugh with the story of how he served the football players and the four thieves.
But you shall see that Tom sometimes met his match. In wandering one day in the forest he met a lusty tinker that had a good staff on his shoulder, and a great dog to carry his bag and tools.
"Whence come you and whither are you going?" said Tom, "this is no highway."
"What's that to you?" said the tinker; "fools must needs be meddling."
"I'll make you know," said Tom, "before you and I part, what it is to me."
"Well," said the tinker, "I'm ready for a bout with any man, and I hear there is one Tom Hickathrift in the country of whom great things are told. I'd fain see him to have a turn with him."
"Ay," said Tom, "methinks he might be master with you. Anyhow, I am the man; what have you to say to me?"
"Why, verily, I'm glad we are so happily met."
"Sure, you do but jest," said Tom.
"Marry, I'm in earnest," said the tinker. "A match?" "'T is done." "Let me first get a twig," said Tom. "Ay," said the tinker, "hang him that would fight a man unarmed."
So Tom took a gate-rail for his staff, and at it they fell, the tinker at Tom, and Tom at the tinker, like two giants they laid on at each other. The tinker had a leathern coat on, and at every blow Tom gave the tinker his coat roared again, yet the tinker did not give way one inch. At last Tom gave him a blow on the side of his head which felled him.
"Now tinker where are you?" said Tom.
But the tinker being a nimble fellow, leapt up again, gave Tom a blow that made him reel again, and followed his blow with one on the other side that made Tom's neck crack again. So Tom flung down his weapon and yielded the tinker the better on it, took him home to his house, where they nursed their bruises and from that day forth there was no stauncher pair of friends than they two.
Tom's fame was thus spread abroad till at length a brewer at Lynn, wanting a good lusty man to carry his beer to Wisbeach went to hire Tom, and promised him a new suit of clothes from top to toe, and that he should eat and drink of the best, so Tom yielded to be his man and his master told him what way he should go, for you must understand there was a monstrous giant who kept part of the marsh-land, so that none durst go that way.
So Tom went every day to Wisbeach a good twenty miles by the road. 'T was a wearisome journey thought Tom and he soon found that the way kept by the giant was nearer by half. Now Tom had got more strength than ever, being well kept as he was and drinking so much strong ale as he did. One day, then, as he was going to Wisbeach, without saying anything to his master or any of his fellow servants, he resolved to take the nearest road or to lose his life; as they say, to win horse or lose saddle. Thus resolved, he took the near road, flinging open the gates for his cart and horses to go through. At last the giant spied him, and came up speedily, intending to take his beer for a prize.
He met Tom like a lion as though he would have swallowed him. "Who gave you authority to come this way?" roared he. "I'll make you an example for all rogues under the sun. See how many heads hang on yonder tree. Yours shall hang higher than all the rest for a warning."
But Tom made him answer, "A fig in your teeth you shall not find me like one of them, traitorly rogue that you are."
The giant took these words in high disdain, and ran into his cave to fetch his great club, intending to dash out Tom's brains at the first blow.
Tom knew not what to do for a weapon; his whip would be but little good against a monstrous beast twelve foot in length and six foot about the waist. But whilst the giant went for his club, bethinking him of a very good weapon, he made no more ado, but took his cart, turned it upside down, and took axle-tree and wheel for shield and buckler. And very good weapons they were found!
Out came the giant and began to stare at Tom. "You are like to do great service with those weapons," roared he. "I have here a twig that will beat you and your wheel to the ground." Now this twig was as thick as some mileposts are, but Tom was not daunted for all that, though the giant made at him with such force that the wheel cracked again. But Tom gave as good as he got, taking the giant such a weighty blow on the side of the head that he reeled again. "What," said Tom, "are you drunk with my strong beer already?"
So at it they went, Tom laying such huge blows at the giant, down whose face sweat and blood ran together, so that, being fat and foggy and tired with the long fighting, he asked Tom would he let him drink a little? "Nay, nay," said Tom, "my mother did not teach me such wit; who'd be a fool then?" And seeing the giant beginning to weary and fail in his blows, Tom thought best to make hay whilst the sun shone, and, laying on as fast as though he had been mad, he brought the giant to the ground. In vain were the giant's roars and prayers and promises to yield himself and be Tom's servant. Tom laid at him till he was dead, and then, cutting off his head, he went into the cave, and found a great store of silver and gold, which made his heart to leap. So he loaded his cart, and after delivering his beer at Wisbeach, he came home and told his master what had befallen him. And on the morrow he and his master and more of the towns-folk of Lynn set out for the giant's cave. Tom showed them the head, and what silver and gold there was in the cave, and not a man but leapt for joy, for the giant was a great enemy to all the country.
The news was spread all up and down the country-side how Tom Hickathrift had killed the giant. And well was he that could run to see the cave; all the folk made bonfires for joy, and if Tom was respected before, he was much more so now. With common consent he took possession of the cave and every one said, had it been twice as much, he would have deserved it. So Tom pulled down the cave, and built himself a brave house. The ground that the giant kept by force for himself, Tom gave part to the poor for their common land, and part he turned into good wheat-land to keep himself and his old mother, Jane Hickathrift. And now he was become the chiefest man in the country-side; 't was no longer plain Tom, but Mr. Hickathrift, and he was held in due respect I promise you. He kept men and maids and lived most bravely; made him a park to keep deer, and time passed with him happily in his great house till the end of his days.
Story DNA
Moral
Great strength and courage, when properly applied, can lead to prosperity and respect.
Plot Summary
Tom Hickathrift, a young man of immense but unrecognized strength, lives a lazy life until his power is revealed by an impossible feat of carrying straw. This leads him to embrace work and become a local hero, defeating all challengers in sports and fending off robbers. After a fierce battle, he befriends a formidable tinker. Later, Tom takes a shortcut through a giant's territory, confronts the monstrous foe, and cleverly uses his cart's axle and wheel to defeat and kill the giant. He claims the giant's treasure, builds a grand estate, and becomes a respected, benevolent landowner, sharing his wealth with the poor.
Themes
Emotional Arc
laziness to purpose to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story is set 'before the days of William the Conqueror' (pre-1066), placing it in Anglo-Saxon England, though the narrative style and social elements reflect later folk tale traditions. The Isle of Ely was historically a marshy, isolated region.
Plot Beats (12)
- Young Tom Hickathrift is born with immense strength but is lazy, eating a lot and sitting by the fire.
- His strength is first revealed when he carries an impossibly large bundle of straw for a farmer.
- Tom is hired for various tasks, demonstrating his strength by moving a large tree alone.
- He gains fame by dominating all local sports and fights, becoming unbeatable.
- Tom single-handedly defeats four highway robbers, taking their money and further cementing his reputation.
- He meets a strong tinker in the forest, engages in a fierce battle, and after being nearly defeated, befriends him.
- Tom takes a job as a brewer's man, carrying beer to Wisbeach, and decides to take a shortcut through the giant's territory.
- The giant confronts Tom, threatening to kill him for trespassing.
- Tom improvises weapons from his cart (axle-tree and wheel) and battles the giant.
- Tom defeats and kills the giant after a long struggle, then finds the giant's hidden treasure in his cave.
- He returns home, reports his feat, and leads the townsfolk to the giant's cave, where they celebrate his victory.
- Tom uses the giant's wealth to build a grand house, becomes a respected gentleman, and shares land with the poor, living happily ever after.
Characters
Tom Hickathrift
Initially a slothful boy, Tom grows to an immense size and strength. By ten years old, he is eight feet tall with hands like a shoulder of mutton. He possesses superhuman strength, capable of carrying twenty hundred-weight of straw, lifting a tree single-handedly, and fighting off multiple men or even a giant. His build is massive and powerful, though he is not described as particularly agile, often relying on brute force.
Attire: Initially, simple, coarse peasant clothing, likely made of rough wool or linen in muted, natural colors. As he gains wealth, he is promised a 'new suit of clothes from top to toe' by the brewer, implying more respectable, though still practical, attire. Later, as 'Mr. Hickathrift', he would wear the finer, but still sturdy, garments of a wealthy landowner, perhaps a tunic and breeches of better quality fabric, possibly with a simple cloak.
Wants: Initially, to avoid work and eat. Later, to prove his strength, enjoy company, and ultimately to secure a comfortable life for himself and his mother.
Flaw: His initial laziness and simple-mindedness. His temper can lead him into unnecessary fights. He can be overconfident in his strength.
Transforms from a lazy, simple-minded boy into a renowned strongman, a local hero who defeats a giant, and finally a respected, wealthy landowner who uses his power for good, providing land for the poor.
Lazy (initially), incredibly strong, somewhat simple-minded (initially), courageous, jovial, quick-tempered, generous (later), practical, determined.
Tom Hickathrift's Mother
Described as 'tender' and old ('old mother'), suggesting a woman of advanced years, likely frail from a life of poverty and hard work. Her build would be slender or stooped.
Attire: Simple, worn peasant clothing made of coarse linen or wool in muted, natural colors. Perhaps a long dress or tunic, an apron, and a head covering.
Wants: To care for her son and ensure their survival, despite their poverty.
Flaw: Her physical frailty and dependence on her son.
Remains a constant, loving figure, benefiting from Tom's eventual success and living comfortably in her old age.
Tender, caring, persistent (in trying to get Tom to work), loving, amused (by Tom's stories).
The Tinker
A 'lusty' (strong, vigorous) man, implied to be of considerable strength, capable of matching Tom Hickathrift in a fight. He is described as 'nimble'. His build would be robust and muscular, but perhaps more agile than Tom's sheer bulk.
Attire: Practical, durable working clothes. He wears a 'leathern coat' for protection, likely over a tunic and breeches of sturdy fabric, possibly with thick boots. His clothes would be worn and patched.
Wants: To travel, work, and test his strength against others, particularly against famous strongmen like Tom Hickathrift.
Flaw: Perhaps a touch of overconfidence, leading him to challenge Tom.
Starts as an adversary to Tom, but after a fierce battle, becomes his staunchest friend.
Brave, confident, skilled in combat, quick-witted, friendly (after the fight), resilient.
The Giant
A monstrous being, twelve feet in length and six feet about the waist, indicating an immense, bulky, and likely somewhat grotesque physique. He is described as 'fat and foggy' and sweats profusely during his fight with Tom.
Attire: Minimal, crude clothing befitting a monstrous, solitary creature. Perhaps a rough hide garment or tattered cloth wrapped around his waist, showing much of his massive, unkempt body.
Wants: To maintain control of his territory, rob travelers, and assert his dominance through fear and violence.
Flaw: His arrogance, his slowness and fatigue in prolonged combat, and ultimately, Tom's superior strength and cunning.
Remains a static force of evil, ultimately defeated and killed by Tom Hickathrift, leading to the liberation of the land.
Cruel, territorial, boastful, arrogant, easily angered, cowardly (when defeated), greedy.
Locations
Hickathrift Family Cottage
A humble, small cottage, likely a simple wattle-and-daub or timber-framed dwelling with a thatched roof, typical of a poor day labourer's home in pre-Conquest England. The interior features a prominent chimney-corner where Tom idles.
Mood: Initially humble and somewhat melancholic due to poverty and Tom's idleness, later becomes a place of shared joy and storytelling.
Tom spends his youth here, growing to an enormous size. He later returns here to tell his mother of his adventures and share his spoils.
Farmer's Barn and Yard
A bustling farmyard with a large barn where men are threshing. The yard would be muddy or dusty depending on weather, surrounded by fields, typical of an agricultural setting in the English marshlands.
Mood: Busy, industrious, initially skeptical of Tom's abilities, then filled with awe and admiration.
Tom demonstrates his prodigious strength for the first time by carrying an immense load of straw, astonishing the farmer and his men.
Marshland Forest
A dense, ancient forest within the marshlands of the Isle of Ely, characterized by large, gnarled trees and likely damp, uneven ground. It's a place of solitude and unexpected encounters.
Mood: Wild, untamed, potentially dangerous, but also a place for challenging encounters and self-discovery.
Tom encounters and battles the tinker here, finding his match and forging a strong friendship. Later, he takes the 'near road' through a part of this marshland controlled by the giant.
Giant's Marshland Territory & Cave
A desolate, dangerous stretch of marshland, forcibly claimed by a monstrous giant. It features a prominent tree where the giant hangs the heads of his victims, serving as a grim warning. The giant's cave is a hidden lair, likely a natural rock formation or earthen mound, filled with stolen treasure.
Mood: Foreboding, dangerous, eerie, then triumphant and liberating after the giant's defeat.
Tom confronts and kills the giant here, liberating the marshland and discovering a vast treasure. This is the climax of his heroic journey.
Mr. Hickathrift's Grand House and Park
A newly built, impressive house replacing the giant's cave, signifying Tom's elevated status. It would be a substantial timber-framed manor house, possibly with some stone elements, reflecting the wealth and importance of a local lord in pre-Conquest England. Surrounded by a park for deer.
Mood: Prosperous, peaceful, comfortable, a symbol of earned respect and success.
Tom builds his new life here, living out his days in prosperity and respect as 'Mr. Hickathrift'.